Make digital citizenship a priority in the district and building technology plan by explaining its importance to students' futures and the future of society as a whole. If schools and districts are to effectively use technology for learning and skills development, digital citizenship must become a key element of that plan.
Encourage your technology leadership team to look at and discuss the nine elements of digital citizenship from every perspective. Digital citizenship is not a one-time issue. Technology and technology use is always changing, so these issues must be continually readdressed on an ongoing basis.
Engage all stakeholders (especially parents) in dialogue on digital citizenship issues using the essential questions as a starting point for discussion. It is not enough to look at this issue from the inside; school leaders should listen to the perspectives and concerns of community members from outside the school environment as well, to gain a greater appreciation of where these issues manifest themselves outside of school.
Empower the technology leadership team to identify and prioritize the steps needed to address digital citizenship in curriculum, staff development, and board policy. Provide them with a clear understanding of the areas that are of most immediate concern, and identify the skills that will make the biggest difference in the way students use technology to learn and succeed.
Create a plan to integrate digital citizenship into all curricular areas. Identify ways to reinforce the idea of appropriate use in all technology-related assignments. Digital citizenship issues and skills should not be relegated to the computer lab; instead, they should become an integral part of content learning in all disciplines.
Educate teachers on the concept of digital citizenship so that they feel comfortable speaking on the subject in their classroom. If teachers do not fully understand digital citizenship, they will not be able to help or direct student use of technology in the classroom.
The information contained on this wiki comes directly from the text Digital Citizenship in School by Mike Ribble and Gerald Bailey.
The information contained on this wiki comes directly from the text Digital Citizenship in School by Mike Ribble and Gerald Bailey.